II MEF Forward Takes Command Lance Cpl
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Vol. 1, Issue 1 Transition to Self-Reliance April 1, 2005 II MEF Forward takes command Lance Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The scarlet and gold col- ors of a large Marine Corps flag served as a backdrop as the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force transferred authority of Multi-National Force-West to the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) commanding gen- eral, during a transfer of authority ceremony here Sunday. The 45-minute ceremony included the casing of the I MEF battle colors and unfurling of the II MEF (FWD) battle colors. Among the guests present at the event was the commanding general of the Iraqi Security Forces, Lt. Gen. Lance Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin Abdul Qader. The commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force “I’ve never been more optimistic in my almost two years (Forward), Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, speaks to those of association with this area,” said Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, present during a transfer of authority ceremony of Multi- National Force-West at Camp Fallujah, Iraq Sunday. See TOA, Page 7 Workhorses put the pedal to the metal Sgt. Juan Vara The runway where aircraft are currently closed,” said Chief Warrant Officer Todd L. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing being refueled with their engines running, a McAllister, platoon commander. “It’s going practice often referred to as ‘hot refueling,’ to be a smooth transition and there won’t be AL ASAD, Iraq -- The Marines from the is scheduled to shut down. The heavy equip- any downtime on capabilities.” Heavy Equipment Platoon of Marine Wing ment Marines are getting ahead of the game As site managers for the construction, Sgt. Support Squadron 271 are doing it again. by building fuel berms to help the Marines in Jonathan D. Gables Sr. and Cpl. C. S. Dennis, Pushing the pedal to the metal, the Fuels Platoon keep this time-saving method heavy equipment operators, oversee the work warfighters are building berms to enclose of getting birds back in the fight on an alter- done at the fuel berms and the stockpiling of new fuel bladders near one of the runways nate runway. material compounds. here, which will become the new site for hot “We’re actually going to be done before “This is a sergeants’ and corporals’ war refueling. the current runway (used for hot refueling) is See Work, Page 2 • Morale Corner, page 2 • 1/5 has a night on the town, page 6 Weekend Weather • Patrols secure southern Baghdad, page 4 • Caught in the Crosshairs, page 7 Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Partly cloudy Cloudy Cloudy • Good Friday run inspires, page 5 • Corpsmen race to save lives, page 9 66F/88F/71F 64F/88F/71F 54F/77F/65F Inside Morale Corner Work, from Page 1 Worship Services & and we push hard the small unit leadership,” Bible Study Schedule said McAllister. “We also push hard the su- Friday 6 p.m. - Catholic Mass pervision.” 6:30 p.m. - Catholic hour social Taking advantage of as much daylight as Saturday they can, the Marines play it safe by wearing 5:15 p.m. - Catholic Confession their Outer Tactical Vests. Though this may 6 p.m. - Catholic Mass safeguard them in case of an indirect fire at- Sunday 7:15 a.m. - Catholic Confession tack, it also raises the mercury a few notches, 8 a.m. - Catholic Mass causing the temperature to almost become 8:30 a.m. - Latter Day Saints unbearable. 9 a.m. - Protestant Worship All their effort and dedication have paid 9:15 a.m. - Protestant Communion 10:30 a.m. - Protestant Contemporary off and they’ve annihilated the timeline giv- 11 a.m. - Non-Denominational en; the project should be done almost a week 1 p.m. - Gospel Service ahead of schedule. 6:30 p.m. - Latter Day Saints “We’re working pretty hard,” said McAl- 7:30 p.m. - Intro to Old Testament lister. “They mostly stay busy and that’s good for the Marines in the platoon, that way Sgt. Juan Vara MWR events they’ll know how things are going to be if we Stockpiling material pours from Swinging Sunday: There will be swing have to work 24 hours a day.” a 7-ton dump truck as Marines dancing lessons held at the MWR Building fuel berms involves several pla- from the Heavy Equipment recreation center from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring toons of the Workhorses’ squadron. Marines Platoon of Marine Wing Support a partner. from Engineers Platoon survey the area and Squadron 271 build fuel berms Country Night: Come out to the recreation center for some country music put stakes on the ground to mark the inner near one of the runways in Al and two-stepping. Tonight from 9:30 p.m. perimeter of the berm. Asad, Iraq. to 1 a.m. Before Marines from Motor Transport Reggae Night: Tomorrow night at the Platoon truck the stockpiling material, heavy of the planes,” he said. recreation center from 9:30 p.m. to 1 equipment Marines level and compact the “If we don’t get this done the planes don’t a.m. 3-on-3 Basketball: A 3-on-3 basketball surface, then build the berm and add finish- get refueled and air support can’t be provided tournament will be held Saturday at the ing touches that will help prevent dirt from to the Marines on the battlefield,” said Lance recreation center. flying around when the helicopters’ rotors are Cpl. Aaron M. Briggs, the operator who Movie Night: Everyday at 3 a.m., 3 p.m. spinning. loads the stockpiling material on 7-ton dump and 7 p.m. a movie will be played at the According to McAllister, when heavy trucks. recreation center back room. For more information contact the MWR supervisor equipment Marines are not deployed they’re The dump trucks take an average of 60 at: [email protected] mostly assigned to provide forklift support. to 70 loads of stockpiling material near the “Whenever we do field training we try to flightline every day throughout the construc- gear it toward earth work because that’s not tion. Almost 3,000 cubic yards of stockpiling II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) something you can just hop on a dozer and material had to be hauled for the project to be Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, Commanding General master right off the bat,” he said. finished. Sgt. Maj. Gary W. Harris, Sergeant Major Lance Cpl. Jacob P. Mills, a heavy equip- “It’s a good experience for the Marines,” Public Affairs Director...Lt. Col. David A. Lapan ment operator, rips and dozes stockpiling said McAllister. “A lot of the Marines had Deputy Director.............Maj. Sean D. Gibson Public Affairs Chief.......Master Gunnery Sgt. material for the fuel berms. Though his piece never done this before.” Constance S. Dillard of the puzzle is put together miles away from Lance Cpl. Casey J. Lazaruk, is a self-pro- Press Chief/Editor..........Staff Sgt. Ronna M. Weyland the finished product, he knows it’s as impor- claimed ‘master sculptor’ of fuel berms. “It The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily tant as the role of the Marine pumping fuel motivates me to see the finished product,” said those of the Department of Defense. It is for informa- tion only and is not considered directive in nature. into the aircraft. Lazaruk. “Every little bit is in support of the needs 2 April 1, 2005 The Eagle and the Crescent The Eagle and the Crescent April 1, 2005 3 Up-armor, even underneath saves lives Cpl. C. J. Yard were not as safe as need be. This new underbody kit makes vehicles less penetrable from below.” 2nd Force Service Support Group Along with equipping the humvees with underbody armor kits, they also get a “facelift,” getting new shocks, springs, ballistic glass CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq -- The Marine Corps’ new Marine and air conditioner units installed. Originally, the MAK was being Armor Kit, unveiled late last year, is now being installed on all hum- developed in a combined effort with the Army, but the Marine Corps vees in the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) area of opera- took what the Army had and improved it, giving it a distinct Marine tions by the Marine Armor Installation Team here. Corps design. Not only are the sides of the humvees being up-armored, the The Marine Corps added a few things, like adding an additional Marines are also installing extra armor on the bottom of vehicle to window on the doors, said Krongaard. The Marines said it was eas- minimize the damage done by Improvised Explosive Devices if they ier to see with two windows. are detonated underneath the vehicle. Up-armoring of the gun turrets Due to the strain the vehicles have endured while traveling the are done if the MAIT has them available. roads of Iraq, some of the vehicles are unable to be up-armored. The MAKs have one-quarter inch high, hard steel, three-eighths “The [Major Subordinate Commands] are bringing in the ve- inch rolled homogenous steel and mild steel to offer improved pro- hicles, with the MEF coordinating that effort. We are hoping to get tection. to a point where they drive in and exchange them,” said Krongaard, According to Marine Corps Systems Command, follow-on ef- a Tucson, Ariz., native. “Sometimes vehicles come in here and we forts of previous projects, coordinated with Marine Corps Logistics can’t do anything to them. We have humvees with twisted frames Command, produced “zonal armor” protection on doors, flanks, tail- and we can’t get the doors to square up on them, or we can’t get gates and underbody.